Nicolas-Louis De La Caille, Astronomer and Geodesist

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Other Sciences, History, Biography & Memoir
Cover of the book Nicolas-Louis De La Caille, Astronomer and Geodesist by Ian Stewart Glass, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ian Stewart Glass ISBN: 9780191649608
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: December 13, 2012
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Ian Stewart Glass
ISBN: 9780191649608
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: December 13, 2012
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

La Caille was one of the observational astronomers and geodesists who followed Newton in developing ideas about celestial mechanics and the shape of the earth. He provided data to the great 18th-century mathematicians involved in understanding the complex gravitational effects that the heavenly bodies have on one another. Observing from the Cape of Good Hope, he made the first ever telescopic sky survey and gave many of the southern constellations their present-day names. He measured the paths of the planets and determined their distances by trigonometry. In addition, he made a controversial measurement of the radius of the earth that seemed to prove it was pear-shaped. On a practical level, La Caille developed the method of `Lunars' for determining longitudes at sea. He mapped the Cape. As an influential teacher he propagated Newton's theory of universal gravitation at a time when it was only beginning to be accepted on the European continent. This book gives the most comprehensive overview so far available of La Caille's life and work, showing how he interacted with his often difficult colleagues. It places special emphasis on his life at, and his observations and comments on, the Cape of Good Hope, where he spent the years 1751-53.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

La Caille was one of the observational astronomers and geodesists who followed Newton in developing ideas about celestial mechanics and the shape of the earth. He provided data to the great 18th-century mathematicians involved in understanding the complex gravitational effects that the heavenly bodies have on one another. Observing from the Cape of Good Hope, he made the first ever telescopic sky survey and gave many of the southern constellations their present-day names. He measured the paths of the planets and determined their distances by trigonometry. In addition, he made a controversial measurement of the radius of the earth that seemed to prove it was pear-shaped. On a practical level, La Caille developed the method of `Lunars' for determining longitudes at sea. He mapped the Cape. As an influential teacher he propagated Newton's theory of universal gravitation at a time when it was only beginning to be accepted on the European continent. This book gives the most comprehensive overview so far available of La Caille's life and work, showing how he interacted with his often difficult colleagues. It places special emphasis on his life at, and his observations and comments on, the Cape of Good Hope, where he spent the years 1751-53.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Daodejing by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book Gandhi: A Very Short Introduction by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book The Economics of New Health Technologies by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book Empires of Faith by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book Contextualising Knowledge by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book Discerning the Good in the Letters & Sermons of Augustine by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book A History of British National Audit: by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book The Normativity of Nature by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book Interpretation in International Law by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book Can Latin American Firms Compete? by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book Oroonoko and Other Writings by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book The Ends of Harm by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book English Private Law by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book Blackstone's Youth Court Handbook 2014-2015 by Ian Stewart Glass
Cover of the book Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy volume 39 by Ian Stewart Glass
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy